Paul Finebaum Calls Out the Big Ten Again With a Not-So-Subtle Dig

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jaron Spor | Last updated Jun 28, 2025 6:00 PM ET

Paul Finebaum of ESPN is well-known for making bold statements and taking shots at various conferences, coaches, and players.

He has been doing this for a long time, often in support of the SEC. Nicknamed the "Mouth of the South," Finebaum hosts "The Paul Finebaum Show," which airs on the SEC Network. Recently, he defended the SEC again.

There has been recent debate about whether the Big Ten has emerged as the best conference in college football, following its back-to-back national championships. During this period, the SEC has not made an appearance in the national championship game. When asked about the Big Ten, he readily shared his opinion, referring to the conference as the "Little Ten."

"I'm with you and Brad on the Little Ten," Finebaum said. "I think they're top-heavy, and after that, it's a pretty average league."

Finebaum did not specify which teams he is optimistic about in the SEC. However, based on his previous comments, it is likely he is referring to the Michigan Wolverines, Ohio State Buckeyes, Penn State Nittany Lions, and Oregon Ducks.

Three of these teams made the playoffs last year, while Michigan was the only team that did not. Nonetheless, the Wolverines won the national championship in 2023. Notably, Finebaum did not mention the Indiana Hoosiers, who qualified for the College Football Playoff last season.

Finebaum has been quite critical of the Hoosiers' playoff run. He previously remarked, "You had two really good teams in the Big Ten last year. Indiana wasn't great; they were a fluke."

So, while Finebaum chose to critique the Big Ten, it is now up to the SEC to silence the critics. This effort will begin with winning the College Football Playoff in 2025.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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